A New Chapter for Quaker Service: Moving into Frederick Street Quaker Meeting House

As Quaker Service begins a new chapter in 2025, we are delighted to share that our administrative base has moved to the upper floor of Frederick Street Quaker Meeting House in North Belfast. This move marks both a return to our roots and a step forward in strengthening our connection with Friends, our communities, and the sustainability of our work.

For more than two decades, our office was located above the Quaker Shop at 541 Lisburn Road. Before that, our small but dedicated team operated from a humble Portakabin within the grounds of South Belfast Meeting House. Each space has served us well at different points in our journey, supporting our mission to stand alongside people in contact with the criminal justice system and impacted by poverty, and conflict.

Now, after a period of thoughtful renovation at Frederick Street Meeting House, we are settling into a newly refurbished space that truly reflects the open, collaborative, and community-focused organisation we are.

Our new facilities include a bright open-plan office, a dedicated meeting room, and a mezzanine hot-desk area. The move has brought fresh energy to the team and renewed opportunities to work more closely with Friends who share the Meeting House. By being based within the building, we’re able to collaborate on the upkeep of the property and strengthen those vital ties with the wider Quaker community that have always been at the heart of our work.

Being in the heart of inner-city North Belfast also makes us more responsive to community need. From here, we can be close to the people and partners shaping our newest services, and we are already making good use of the ground-floor spaces in the Meeting House for projects with partner organisations and local community groups. This shared approach brings our values to life by creating spaces for inclusion, dignity, and practical action.

Meanwhile, the vacated offices on Lisburn Road will continue to play a valuable role in the life of the charity. Plans are underway for the space to generate a new income stream, supporting our ongoing financial sustainability and ensuring that every aspect of our resources contributes to our mission.

In keeping with the wider refurbishment of Frederick Street Quaker Meeting House, our new office has been thoughtfully modernised into a comfortable, contemporary working environment. The finishing touch, a hand-painted sign by local craftsperson Laura Nelson, serves as a reminder of the care and creativity that underpin our work every day.

Our move to Frederick Street represents more than just a change of address. It’s a reaffirmation of our commitment to community, stewardship, and the shared values that have guided Quaker Service for over 50 years. We look forward to welcoming Friends and partners to our new home and to continuing this journey

rooted in compassion, inspired by equality, and shaped by the needs of those we serve.